Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator

The Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator reports to the Editorial Director and is part of a high-performing editorial team in Harvard Medical School’s Office of Communications and External Relations (OCER). The team produces written and multimedia content for HMS that is published digitally and in print, including in our magazine, news website, emails and newsletters, annual report, dean’s communications, and social media. This position requires mastery of grammar and punctuation; fluency with AP, Chicago, and digital style guidelines; keen attention to detail; dedication to accuracy; and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Day-to-day duties include copyediting, proofreading, and fact checking; maintaining style guidelines for OCER and the School; and some writing and editing as assigned. The Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator collaborates with editors, writers, multimedia producers, project managers, and designers to ensure that OCER and its partners consistently produce top-quality, error-free content that educates the public and the community about the institution’s mission and achievements. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: – Provides copyediting, proofreading, QA, and fact checking for a variety of OCER-produced digital and print communications materials, including the HMS website and magazine, news releases, daily/weekly/monthly/periodic e-newsletters, the annual Dean’s Report, letters and emails from leadership and other community members, event invitations and programs, posters, fact sheets, long- and short-form narrative pieces, magazine inserts, video and podcast scripts, social media content, speeches, marketing materials, and other collateral as assigned. – Coordinates and prioritizes the intake of copyediting and proofing requests, assigning overflow as needed. – Ensures all written materials conform to editorial style standards, using AP, Chicago, or digital style guides as appropriate. Is able to master higher education and Harvard/HMS-specific styles as outlined in the OCER Style Guide. Regularly reviews OCER’s posted news and magazine content to ensure consistency of style and format. – Provides evolving style guidance to OCER and the School. Manages and periodically updates OCER Style Guide, discusses proposed changes with colleagues as needed, and communicates changes in collaboration with the Editorial Director. Identifies and participates in professional development on style and related best practices. Works to ensure that HMS/OCER keeps current with inclusive language guidelines and other relevant trends. – Implements and adheres to version control procedures and is adept at editing in Microsoft Word, Dropbox, Google Docs, and other electronic files, as well as OCER’s Drupal-based CMS environment. – Consults appropriate HMS databases and personnel to check names, degrees, and titles. Demonstrates comfort navigating additional internal and external research services for fact checking and content gathering. – Suggests and initiates copyediting and proofing process improvements as warranted. – Coordinates editorial projects as assigned, including maintaining OCER’s collection of biographic sketches of select HMS faculty and staff. – Incorporates guidance from OCER colleagues into copyediting procedures as appropriate, such as SEO, usability, and accessibility best practices. – Serves as liaison to assigned HMS Quad or affiliate beats, maintaining contact on a regular basis and helping assess suitability of received content for HMS news and social channels.